Apr 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka at a press conference before a game against the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bill Simmons Trade Between Celtics, Rockets Sparks Social Media Debate

Originally posted on Houston Rockets on SI
By Alec Elijah | Last updated May 19, 2025 4:59 PM ET

One trade idea that has sparked a small frenzy on social media comes from Bill Simmons this morning, between the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets.

Simmons proposed ahead of the NBA Draft the Rockets pursue a duo of Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday in exchange for Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. Tari Eason and the 2025 10th overall pick.

If a trade like this were to go through, it would reunite Jaylen Brown and Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka while also mixing a veteran guard with Holiday in the youthful Houston core.

Bill Simmons[@BillSimmons] trade idea:

Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr, Tari Eason, Pick 10

Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday

Thoughts?#Rockets #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/AR30sKc0xK
— Chris Gorman (@GormanChristoph) May 19, 2025

This isn’t the first team-changing trade that Houston has been assessed this offseason, as they are also potential favorites to land either NBA Superstar Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo in a pre-draft trade.

Fans took to social media to address this hypothetical trade, which received mixed reactions to say the least.

No thank you https://t.co/hAHP3z5spU
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) May 19, 2025

Jrue Holiday starts next season at 35 years old, while still being due 3/104 million.
Jaylen Brown turns 29 early next season and will be due 4/236 over that time frame.

I don’t understand what the Rockets gain from adding two players w/avg ages of 32 who’s due 340 million. https://t.co/hMrp3Midyi
— Monte’ (@UncleT____) May 19, 2025

Bill Simmons also took to his X account to defend this trade saying it is a "last resort" for the Boston Celtics.

Repeatedly said I want them to keep Jaylen. Was only saying if they decided as a last resort they had to deal him cuz of the 2nd apron — it would have to be a deal that looked something like this, where they shed 20+ million in trade and get a few assets back. https://t.co/CBlREaZuRs
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 19, 2025

While both teams’ fan bases seem unhappy with this hypothetical, it also seems less likely to happen compared to some of the other trade scenarios linked to the Houston Rockets.

Not to mention, Jayson Tatum is sidelined for the next 7-8 months with an Achilles injury.

So, Boston will probably look to Jaylen Brown to lead the way and jump-start the Celtics' season for the 2025-26 campaign.

Houston will continue to be a team for NBA fans to monitor very closely ahead of this year's draft in June. That No. 10 pick continues to be flirted around with trade ideas, and with no clear cut plan with what Houston should do there is a divine chance one of the hypotheicals falls through.

This article first appeared on Houston Rockets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: